It's My Anniversary!!!!

Three years ago today, my sisterlocks were born. Join me in celebrating !!! I'll be posting my official anniversary photos after the DH returns on October 20th.

Wow, time sure flies when you're happy, nappy and free!

 

Blogger issues, the DH and my Toni Pony

Hi All,

I've been having some problems with blogger and have been unable to log in or view my page. I guess all is well now. Anyway, thank you all for your hair color suggestions and such. I think I'm going to take Lachanda's advice and leave it as is for a little while longer. Besides, I have some pretty important business to tend to now that....(drumroll please) My DH is coming home!!!! Yes, after 17 long months he is finally coming home. I don't know the exact date yet, but it should be real soon. I was debating whether or not I should wait until he's home or post about it now, but I decided to share the news anyway as I really need your prayers through this transition and waiting period. I've been about to pull out each and everyone of my 500+ sisterlocks due to the anxiety over it all (there's the hair tie-in). And speaking of hair-ties, let me just say one more time...I love Brunsli's hairties. The toni is the single most, greatest hair accessory I've ever found for my locks. Even my bad hair days are cute with my 'toni' pony as I call it. So, let me just publicly say thank you Brunsli for helping a sister out with the hair AND thank you to each of you who've ever whispered a little prayer for my sweetie. I know it is through your prayers and others that we have made it through this tough time apart.

Many Blessings,
K. Lovett-Wright

P.S. I promise to post more pics soon...

Your Opinions Please...

Greetings Friends! I'm just doing a quick check in. I haven't posted in a few weeks now and really have nothing new to report. Not much has changed with the hair, except for the fact that my curls are no longer. Can you believe they were holding steady for over 3 weeks. I finally had to wash my hair (what can I say, I'm a freestyler at heart) earlier this week. That coupled with the fact that Brunsli has me addicted to wearing my hair up again really hasn't made for anything exciting to share. However, I would like to get your opinion on my latest hair dilema...the color. I am fast approaching my 3 year anniversary with sisterlocks and to celebrate I've decided to dye my hair. If you look closely at most of my pics, you'll notice that my hair is 2 toned. I have really grown weary of the 2 tone look and am looking to decide on 1 color. I'm deciding between my natural color (the darkest part closest to scalp) and the honey brownish color on the ends with highlights. I just can't decide! Any thoughts??? 

My favorite collage to date...

I know you've seen a couple of these pics in the last post, but I loved this collage so much I just had to share. I made this for a card I sent my DH. I must admit I was really feeling my hair that day. I'll be updating with new pics real soon. I received my hairties (thanks B!) and must share my new lock puff! Stay tuned...

 

Finally, the Curls Have Fallen...and Reflections on SSP's

Whew, that was a rough one. My hair has been hanging tough for almost four days!!! I think I'll leave the curly look to Tra (who has the cutest curls I've seen by the way:-). Finally, my hair has fallen to the soft curl look that I like most. In case you can't tell from the pics I'm much happier now.

As I was reviewing my photos, I realized something that I thought was quite funny. I use the same poses over and over in all my ssp's (self-self portraits as DG calls them). Check out this collage I put together of me almost three years ago (34 months) compared to now. I could never be America's Next Top Model :-)...well on second thought...



Peace,
kl

Back to My Roots...the Retightening Update

As I shared in my last post, I really haven't had my hair professionally retightened in almost 6 months. Honestly, I had so many things going on I just didn't feel like dealing with the hair. Well, I finally got my head done and surprisingly I still have hair left! It only took about 6 hours which is just an hour longer than normal (I have mostly small/medium sisterlocks, about 550 or so). I'll let you in on a little secret though...I think I prefer my hair with the new growth unlocked. I tried curling it a little bit for something different. Hopefully the curls will fall some real soon (I am a die-hard freestyler!). But, I thought I'd share my updated photos with you all anyway. Later,
klw

Before Retightening: (can you find my scalp in all this hair?)

















After Retightening: (the parts are back!!!)

Here's the story (Locs, Interrupted...Part 2)

There’s something about the death of loved ones that forces you to become introspective. After the loss of my grandma, I was immediately forced to take a long look at my own life. I’ve been going through a world of change ever since. I decided to focus less on my hair (hence this posting’s title) and more on those things that really mattered in my world. I am proud to say that I have made several changes:

I am starting a new position in August! I will remain an educator, but am working with a different age group in hopes of affecting change on a different level. I am sooo excited about my new job. After many interviews and many on the spot job offers (5 to be exact), I decided to take the last offer. I really feel like it was all a test of my faith, Daddy was saving the best for last.

I have recommitted to a total health approach. Being an Adventist, one of the things that is stressed in the church is health and temperance. I’ve changed my eating habits and life style and am happy to report that I’ve lost quite a few pounds and feel better than ever.

Finally, I officially opened my graphics design and printing company, She Designs, Inc. We had our first major job this month and the client loved our work. I am excited about what the future holds for my company.

So, for those who’ve asked and those who’ve stopped by…that’s why I’ve been missing in action. I had to take a break from my hair to focus on bettering me (and have almost 5 months of new growth to prove it!) I have a retightening appointment coming up next week and if I have any hair left :-), I’ll be sure a post an update.

Until next time,
Stay encouraged!!!
-klw

Locs, Interrupted...(Stay tuned for an update!)

 

Don't Try This at Home!

Okay, well if you read my last post I mentioned that I had worn my hair in a ponytail during my grandmother's illness and in her passing. To be honest, I just wasn't feeling the hair very much. Besides, I had far more things to work on and be concerned with (I designed her funeral program...see the last post).

Anyway, as a result of my hair being pulled back, and my need for a retightening I decided it was best to use a little bit of gel (eek!) and mousse (yuck!) to tame the growing halo around my head.

Well as it turns out, gel and mousse are not the best products for locks (duh!!). I had buildup for days, and it wasn't that little flaky gel buildup. It was sticky, icky buildup. I was terrified at the thought of what my hair would look like if I couldn't remove it. So, here's what I did...

I soaked my hair in a concoction of veggie wash, clarifying shampoo, dishwashing liquid, and (shutter) Krud Kutter! Yep, Krud Kutter. I was so desperate and determined to remove the buildup that I lost my mind! However, I am happy to report...my hair is free of buildup and surprisingly pretty soft. I guess I must have stripped everything out, cause my scalp was a little dry, but its all good now. A few EO spritzes and all is well.

Just don't EVER try this at home.

Be blessed,

KLW

My Natural Inspiration

Greetings Friends,

Hi everyone! It feels like I haven't blogged all year. I have been dealing with some incredibly challenging situtations here lately and just haven't had a chance to focus on my hair or my blog. March 2006 is definitely one of the most memorable months of my life so far. Let me explain..
First of all, my birthday was on March 10. Unfortunately, I don't have any great birthday celebration stories to share. I did have dinner with friends and my fam even threw me a small surprise party the next day. However, this birthday is one that I'll never forget.

On my birthday, my grandmother (and natural hair inspiration--she never had a perm, color or straightened her hair!!) suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Well, initially it was though to be a mini stroke, however after the doctors at the hospital ran several tests it was determined that she was very sick. As it turns out, we spent the next two weeks at the hospital. I took a leave of absence from teaching (not that I'm complaining) and spent everyday with my family. After that the doctors determined that they'd done all that could be done and we decided to bring her home to take care of her there (my mother, aunt and father all are medical professionals). On the eve of her return home, she died peacefully in her sleep (March 25, which also happens to be the 1 year anniversary of my DH's departure for Iraq). I guess I've been a little down and to be honest, I just haven't felt much like dealing with my hair (I spent the month of March with my hair pulled back :-(

However, I decided to do a quick wash and retighten the front and once again ...I'm in love with my sisterlocks. Its like doing my hair just brings me peace or something. Anyway, I don't mean to just ramble I'm just trying to get back in the saddle. I missed you guys!! I must get caught up with reading everyone's blogs and I promise to provide some updates real soon.

Peace and blessings,
KLW

Finally an Update...

Hey ya’ll (that's the GA Peach in me talking),

I guess you can say I’m in a little lock funk right now. To be honest, I just haven’t had anything to say and I refuse to post about how much I’m not feeling my hair (I know you all think I’m crazy, with these roller coaster hair emotions) and send negative vibes across the WWW.

Anyway, I wanted to address some questions that some of you have posted and thank you all who check on my regularly.

First of all, in relation to my hair…the color is not my natural color. It is the result of a bad hair dye job about 10 months (done by yours truly). I really like the 2 toned look now and have no intention of touching it up anytime soon.

Second, (still talking about hair) my damaged areas are really in the back (near the nape of the neck) and in the front (around the hairline). It’s the result of several things, most of all I think it is due to my relaxer days.

Finally, thank you all for continuing to check me out. Whether its daily, weekly, or monthly…I feel most honored to know that you’ve actually took out the time to step into my crazy hair obsession.

Come back soon!
Peace

P.S. Brunsli posted about music recommendations and I didn’t want to fill her comments section with my list of my top 1000 favorites. But, I must give a shout-out and recommendation that any serious music lovers (you Kem, Eric Benet, Cassandra Wilson, Rachelle Ferrell, Norah Jones and Diana Reeves fans) should really check out Lizz Wright (http://www.lizzwright.net/). I had the pleasure of attending college with her years ago and her albums are simply unbelievable.

27 Months and Counting...

While at my mom's house this past weekend my sister snapped these pictures for me. To be quite honest its the first time in a long time that I've seen all sides of my big 'ole head in one shooting. And for the first time in a long time, I can truly say that I am happy with my hair. It makes me think about what everyone says when it comes to locks. "Locking is a journey" and "Locking is an exercise in patience "(how many times have you heard those?). But the truth of the matter is both of the sayings are true. So many times in my journey I simply ran out of patience (and have the damaged locks to prove it!) but finally I feel like I've made it to the other side. Just thought I'd share!

Put Your Money Where Your March Is

My friend Tracy who is an excellent writer and superb poet, wrote a piece entitled "Put Your Money Where Your March Is" in honor of MLK day. Check her out here, http://kingbentertainment.net/tracyputyamoney.html. Also, being that I am an Atlanta resident (and it is the birthplace of Martin Luther King afterall) I decided to take my little cousins to share in the MLK day festivities. As an Educator and Sociologist, I know first hand that we have a long way to go in helping today's generation fully understand the full scope of Dr. King's life and his life's work. We still have so much left to do to see Dr. King's dream fulfilled. You can do your part today, start with education ! Stress the importance and value of education with your families and communities. Talk about the dream, BE about the dream!

Peace,
KLW

The Long and Short of Things

I was re-reading a few of the comments in some of the other posts that I've done. A couple of people commented that my hair was a cute bob and liked the way it hung. And, for a minute I was thinking it was kinda cute too, then...I woke up. My hair is actually quite long in the back and though the photos don't show it well, quite uneven. I've been giving it some thought for a while now and I am seriously considering getting it cut to a more even length. The pictures to the right show my hair w/out styling (freestyle), if you look closely you can see that the sides and back are not the same length. I wonder what causes this to happen with locks? Any thoughts???

Just Because

 

Finally...the back of my head!

So, while sitting here counting down the hours until my vacation ends. I decided to add yet another picture to my blog. The collage below includes what I think is the only picture of the back of my hair (maybe the 2nd). With the hubby away, its rare that I can manage to actually photograph the back (I have pretty short arms!). So, I am rather excited to the share with you the other side of my locks :-)! Also, of note I love the color that my hair looks in these photos. It's kind of red looking, I think its just the halogen bulbs in the kitchen. Still Retightening,
KLW 

2-Year Itch

I don't know if it's a 2 year itch or something. But, here lately I've been noticing so many little imperfections in my locks. Now don't get me wrong, I love all 542 locks on my big head...but there's something not quite right. My locks seem to have a mind all of their own, there are times when most (maybe 85%) or so actually look like locks. Then there are those times where I look in the mirror and think...Who am I kidding. Now with my hair texture and all I know that it does take much longer than average for my hair to fully lock (most say somewhere b/n 2-4 years), so I have promised to give it at least a 4 year attempt. But, my concern is that I almost feel like some of my little locks are regressing. If you look closely you'll notice that it is pretty clear that my hair is primarily locked at the ends in places and somewhat in the middle in others. I'm getting a little concerned. Does this look in anyway normal? (Click on the pic for a closer view)
This latest panic may simply be due to my lack of activities during this last part of my vacation. I should probably find something else to do than pick through my hair, lock by lock. Next week when I return to work I'm sure it will all be a blur. Gosh, I sure hope so!

BTW, I received my Soft Spike Rollers!!! This weekend's task: Curl it up!!!

Self-Retightenings??? It Must Be a New Year...

Greetings and Happy New Year to All!

Well my holiday 'do is now completely done and I've really starting thinking about my new year's promise to myself. I've promised to take better care of myself physically, spiritually and financially (as I do at the start of every year...notice i didn't call it a resolution Mom!). To start, I think I'm going to knock out the physical and financial at the same time by....retightening my own locks!!! I don't know what has come over me but once again I'm ready to give it a shot. Besides, the $200 plus for my last retightening session was just too much to pay. So starting tomorrow, I'm on my way. One sad note though, I lost my clip tool and that dang hook tool is just not quite so easy to use. So that being said, I'm pulling out my Nappylocs tool and we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!


Here's a quick before photo: (Notice the frizziness or what I like to call the 'halo effect'. Two years and I still have the frizzies!) This is a bad me, good hair shot. You'd think I weighed 200 lbs. by looking at some of these...gotta work on the photography skills! :0

Locked Hair Blog Exchange

A fellow Blogger, Maryee (http://lovemylocks.blogspot.com), came up with the ingenious idea of creating a Locked Blog Exchange. There you can find links to other bloggers who are documenting their locking experience, informational websites and web groups.

Check it out sometime!

The link is http://locksblogsphotos.blogspot.com/